A Learning Experiment Using A&O Open Learning Environment

This paper describes some design principles, main actors and functions of an open learning environment called A&O. A&O is an open learning environment which can be used via computer networks, especially over the Internet. It supports both self-paced and collaborative learning. A&O is open to various learners and different contents and it offers an opportunity to study independently of time and place. The main goal of the A&O environment is to be both pedagogically appropriate and technically functional. It is designed on the basis of modern learning theories that emphasise the construction of new knowledge on the basis of previous knowledge, the learners' active role and collaborative learning. In addition to these, learner's intentions, meaningful contexts, transfer and reflection play an essential role. The system architecture of A&O consists of data management facilities including data acquisition tools, tools for communication and collaboration, course-dependent cognitive tools and authoring tools for producing hypermedia courseware. In this paper the first learning experiment in Matrix Algebra with A&O-learning environment is reported.